Expert View of SWC Poker
SWC Poker is a Bitcoin-only site. It is the new version of SealWithClubs, one of the first Bitcoin poker sites. SealsWithClubs opened in 2012 and ceased operations in 2015. SWC Poker took over SealsWithClubs’ player pool and deposits about a month after the closure. All responsibilities were covered by SWC Poker.
More About SWC Poker
- Large player traffic
- Above average quality of games
- Social, recreational player focused
- Third largest U.S. facing poker room with growing traffic.
- Excellent and consistent payment processing.
- Relatively juicy games.
SWC Poker Summary
SWC Poker is a poker site that only accepts Bitcoin. It took over SealWithClubs in March 2015. SealsWithClubs closed abruptly in February 2015 when Bryan Micon’s Nevada home was raided by state gaming agents. Micon was the site’s chairman. He was served with a search warrant pertaining to operating SealsWithClubs without a license and later pleaded guilty to a charge related to that.
SWC Poker honored all of SealsWithClubs’ obligations. The transfer of the site was already planned. The demise of SealsWithClubs sped up the process.
The traffic at SWC Poker is nowhere close to the levels it enjoyed at SealsWithClubs. The widespread use of Bitcoin by popular sites is no doubt one of the reasons.
A Personal Opinion on SWC Poker
What I like about SWC Poker
SWC Poker offers much better software than SealsWithClubs did. It added fun poker variants that include, Badugi, Badacey and Badeucy. SWC Poker prides itself in processing payments in less than 12 hours. Some withdrawals are delivered in just an hour. Players that like the ability to change usernames frequently will like SWC Poker. Players may have as many accounts as they wish and never have to give the site any personal information. Players can make money holding Bitcoin if the price appreciates.
What I do not like about SWC Poker
There is very little traffic at SWC Poker. The number of cash game players there averages less than 10 and peaks at less than 30, according to PokerScout. This means that it can be difficult to find any games, especially at the unusual poker variants. Players can lose money if the price of Bitcoin drops. Security is not up to industry standards because players are permitted to have multiple accounts and not give personal information.
What Players Are Saying About SWC Poker
There was a lot of chatter about SealsWithClubs back when it was in business. That was partly due to the presence of Bryan Micon, its chairman. Once he left the group, promotion of it nearly ceased entirely. Traffic collapsed and threads at poker forums dried up. Here is what players say about SWC Poker these days:
“It doesn’t get any better than instant deposits/withdrawals and with no personal information required. If this site had more traffic no other site could touch it. SWCpoker needs more traffic, so come and play!”
“Connection is mostly fine, but there’s ridiculous server lag at times.”
“The lag can be worse when tournaments are going, but it’s an issue all the time. If you play any draw games it can be really obvious, as there are times when you discard cards and have to wait 4-5 seconds to get new ones. This happens even in the 4am doldrums.”
SWC Poker Deposits and Withdrawals
Making a Deposit
There is only one way to deposit at SWC Poker. That is with Bitcoin. Players must acquire Bitcoin on an exchange before depositing at SWC Poker.
Making a Withdrawal
There is only one way to withdraw at SWC Poker. That is with Bitcoin. Withdrawals are processed in less than 12 hours. Some arrive in less than an hour.
SWC Poker Safety
Focusing on Bitcoin, SWC Poker offers players a unique experience as well as some unique challenges. With the rise of Bitcoin, the value of accounts have increased while funds are stored in Bitcoin.
Although cashouts in Bitcoin continue to be very fast, the traffic at the poker room has not risen above comfortable levels. While we think that SWC Poker will continue to be safe, they have already been scrutinized by authorities and we’re not sure they are as safe as higher traffic alternatives.
Is SWC Poker Legit?
SWC Poker is legit as a Bitcoin only online poker option. Although some concerns are there, we think that SWC Poker will continue to be a reliable option for U.S. players.
SWC Poker Bonuses
SWC Poker does not offer a first deposit or reload bonus.
SWC Promotions
Players receive weekly rewards based on the amount of rake paid. Players are awarded a Krill based on the formula of rake x 5 divided by the number of players dealt in the hand. Players receive two Krill for every unit of rake paid when entering tournaments. Awards include freeroll tickets and rakeback based on the following chart:
Krill Waves
Krill | Title | Reward |
---|---|---|
50 | Daily Freerolls | |
100 | Daily Freerolls | |
500 | Floundering Seal | Choice of Avatar & Chat Color |
1,250 | Baby Seal | Weekly OverKrill Bonus Tournaments |
2,500 | Daring Seal | 1% Rakeback |
5,000 | Adult Seal | 2% Rakeback |
10,000 | Tricky Seal | 5% Rakeback |
20,000 | Journeyman Seal | 11% Rakeback |
50,000 | Sly Seal | 19% Rakeback |
100,000 | Cunning Seal | 27% Rakeback |
200,000 | Boss Seal | 33% Rakeback |
500,000 | Shrewd Seal | 38% Rakeback |
1,000,000 | Baller Seal | 42% Rakeback |
2,000,000 | Sage Seal | 45% Rakeback |
5,000,000 | Iconic Seal | 47% Rakeback |
10,000,000 | Grandmaster Seal | 50% Rakeback |
Table Starter Rakeback
Players receive 50% rakeback when starting tables. This is awarded to players giving action at a table with two or three players seated when there are six or more seats at the table.
Krill Leaderboard
The top 10 players in terms of Krill earned are awarded chips each week. The leaderboard week runs from Monday to Sunday. The payouts are:
[ezcol_1half]
- 1st: 200 chips
- 2nd: 150 chips
- 3rd: 100 chips
- 4th: 75 chips
- 5th: 50 chips
[/ezcol_1half][ezcol_1half_end]
- 6th: 40 chips
- 7th: 30 chips
- 8th: 20 chips
- 9th: 15 chips
- 10th: 10 chips
[/ezcol_1half_end]
SWC Poker Game Selection
There is very little action at SWC Poker. Most of it is heads up. There is usually a micro No Limit Texas Hold’em game running. There may also be a Pot Limit Omaha game or a shorthanded non-Hold’em game.
- NL Texas Hold’em
- Limit Hold’em
- NL Omaha Hi/Lo
- Chinese Poker
- Other Games
-
.01 / .02.02 / .04.05 / .10.10 / .20.25 / .50.50 / 11 / 22 / 43 / 64 / 85 / 1010 / 2025 / 5050 / 100100 / 200
-
.04 / .08.10 / .20.20 / .40.50 / 11 / 22 / 44 / 85 / 106 / 1210 / 2015 / 3020 / 4030 / 6040 / 8060 / 120100 / 200300 / 600
-
.02 / .04.05 / .10.10 / .20.25 / .50.50 / 11 / 2
-
.01/pt.05/pt.10/pt.25/pt.5/pt1/pt2/pt3/pt5/pt8/pt15/pt25/pt50/pt
-
Pot Limit OmahaOmaha High/LowBig OCourchevelCourchevel High/LowSeven Card StudRazz2-7 Triple DrawBadugiTripleStudDealer’s Choice
- Large player traffic
- Above average quality of games
- Social, recreational player focused
- Third largest U.S. facing poker room with growing traffic.
- Excellent and consistent payment processing.
- Relatively juicy games.
Has There Ever Been a Scandal at SWC Poker?
SWC Poker has always paid players. It picked up the balances owed by SealsWithClubs when it closed. There has never been a scandal at SWC Poker but it is related to a few major problems.
SealsWithClubs had two serious denial of service attacks during its life that took it offline for a week or more. All balances were restored when the site came back online.
SealsWithClubs had a legal issue in February 2015. Bryan Micon, the site’s chairman, had his home searched by Nevada gaming agents. He immediately left the country for Antigua. Micon was indicted and worked out a deal with Nevada prosecutors that saw him receive no jail time and the ability to have the charges reduced to a misdemeanor upon completion of probation.
SealsWithClubs closed at the time of the search of Micon’s home. SWC Poker opened about three weeks later. All balances and accounts were transferred.
SWC Poker FAQ
Is SWC Poker related to SealsWithClubs?
SWC Poker took over the SealsWithClubs player pool.
When did SealsWithClubs become SWC Poker?
SWC Poker launched in March 2015 with SealsWithClubs’ players and new software.
How do I deposit at SWC Poker?
Bitcoin is the only deposit option at SWC Poker.
How do I withdraw from SWC Poker?
Bitcoin is the only withdrawal option at SWC Poker.
How long does it take to get a withdrawal from SWC Poker?
Bitcoin withdrawals from SWC Poker take less than 12 hours.
Is there a first deposit bonus at SWC Poker?
There is no first deposit bonus at SWC Poker.
Is there rakeback at SWC Poker?
The VIP program pays rakeback based on the amount of rake paid in a week.
What rake method does SWC Poker use?
SWC Poker uses the dealt rake method. This means a player must only be dealt in the hand to receive rakeback.